how to store user uploaded files in a web app

Generally for simple apps you can use a hash as the file name and link the file using a database. Another approach would be to keep the file in the database. But that would mean the database would fill up quite quickly and it'll cause high usage of db as well. Then again another simple approach is to transfer it to a hosting service and then provide the URL in order to retrieve it. However there are things that needs to be addressed like the file size, number of files, load etc... Therefore the best way is to make sure that the method you implement, suits your requirements. I came across this nice article on how facebook provide the infrastructure to store photos. This provide some insight into how large scale services are organized in order to provide the fascility.

http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/2009/04/facebook-haystack.html

Some good java sites to stay updated !!!

http://www.javaworld.com/
http://www.mkyong.com/
http://misko.hevery.com/


The below site provides a kick start for new java developers.
http://javabrains.koushik.org/p/home.html

Signs of a good programmer

Now I've been working in the software industry for more than an year. Recently I decided to evaluate myself and see where I am as a developper. Then I found the qualities of a good programmer and a bad programmer. These are habits more than qualities. The first link describes the signs that you are a good developer. The latter describes the signs of a bad developer. God through both the articles and see where you are now as a programmer.

1. https://sites.google.com/site/yacoset/Home/signs-that-you-re-a-bad-programmer
2. https://sites.google.com/site/yacoset/Home/signs-that-you-re-a-good-programmer

Hope this will help you to improve as a developer.